BOOKS DIGEST || Local author writes children’s picture book

Poland Township author Carmen Leone has written a new children’s picture book titled “My Italy: A Little Story of a Big Journey.” Artist Lora Finelli of Pittsburgh, Leone’s great-niece and a Girard native, illustrated the book.

Another book written by Leone is “Rose Street: A Family Story.”

The book will be introduced Monday at the Carnegie Library of Pitsburgh-Squirrel Hill Branch.

Another event, which will include music and a reading, is planned at Jimmy’s Italian Specialties on Belmont Avenue in Youngstown later this summer.

The book is available for $10 at Jimmy’s, Caffe Dars in Canfield or from the author at www.carmenjleone.com.

’80s TV shows getting comic book treatment

PHILADELPHIA

“Punky Brewster” and the kids from “Saved by the Bell” are returning to the small screen through digital comic books.

So, too, are “Knight Rider,” “Airwolf” and “Miami Vice.”

Lion Forge Comics and NBC Universal said Tuesday they partnered to develop, write, illustrate and publish digital comics based on those shows from the 1980s and 1990s, bringing new stories for characters like Crocket and Tubbs as well as Kit and Screech.

The comics are set to be released later this year through iTunes, Amazon’s Kindle Bookstore, Barnes & Nobles’ Nook store and Kobo.

The NBC Universal-owned shows are the latest in a growing push that has seen other TV properties extend their stories in comics, most recently “The X-Files” and “Buffy the Vampire Slayer.”